Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack (46) prepares for a play against San Diego State in Boise, Idaho, on Dec. 21, 2013. / Associated Press

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Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Buffalo’s Khalil Mack is the prototype 3-4 outside linebacker and one of the best pass-rushing prospects in the NFL draft, but NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said Mack is versatile enough that he could he fit a 4-3 scheme like the Detroit Lions’, too.

“With his skill set, his ability to drop — I think he can play (strongside) or (weakside linebacker), to be honest with you,” Mayock said in a teleconference Tuesday. “You can line him up on a tight end, and he’d be OK. I think the important thing is that if you are drafting him as a 4-3 team, you’ve got to make sure that, in nickel and sub situations, you’re freeing him up to go get the quarterback. And in today’s NFL, because of the versatility in defenses, I think that’s fine.”

Still, if Mack slipped to No. 10, he might be hard to pass up for a Lions team that has not taken a linebacker in the first round since Ernie Sims in 2006.

Mayock said Mack, who had 10.5 tackles for loss for Buffalo last year, is “the most gifted edge (rusher) in this class” after South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney.

“I put the tape on, not really knowing what to expect,” Mayock said. “I knew he had a lot of positive reviews from around the country, but the first tape I put in was Ohio State, and he blew them up. I mean, he made plays all over the field. On the edge, dropping into coverage, explosion, hustle. Then I think the next tape I put in was Kent State, and he made a one-handed interception. He runs like a safety, he explodes off the edge.

“From my perspective, in today’s NFL, guys that have natural edge-rush ability are like gold. You’ve got to get them when they’re available. And I think he’s one of the elite edge guys in the draft. But he hustles, he’s tough, he can play the run game and unlike a lot of these guys he can also drop in coverage. So I have yet to find a hole in his game.”